Where to Get the Best Cuban Coffee in Key West
The histories of Key West and Cuba have long been intertwined. The first waves of Cuban immigrants arrived on the island in the 1830s, bringing their rich culture, food and industries with them. Today that heritage is woven into the very fabric of the island, and countless spots serve up authentic Cuban coffee and food. When you stay in a vacation rental with Rent Key West Vacations, that local flavor is right outside your door, with cafés and coffee counters tucked into the neighborhoods all around you. Find the best Cuban coffee in Key West and start your morning with a bold, sweet and unforgettable drink that has become a classic across the Florida Keys.
What is Cuban Coffee?
Cuban coffee is not a single drink but a whole brewing style. Broadly, it refers to the strong, sweet, espresso-based coffee that took root in Cuba and traveled with Cuban immigrants to places like Key West and Miami. It is traditionally brewed dark and served in small portions, and its defining trait is sweetness: sugar is added right as the coffee is made rather than stirred in afterward. It comes in several popular variations:
- Café Cubano: A shot of Cuban espresso whipped with sugar until it forms a layer of caramel-colored foam called espumita, served on its own. Also known as a cafecito.
- Café con Leche: Cuban espresso combined with a generous amount of steamed milk, similar to a latte.
- Cortadito: A small serving of Cuban espresso cut with a splash of steamed milk, essentially a mini café con leche.
Where to Get Cuban Coffee in Key West
Cuban Coffee Queen
For a reliable cup near where you are staying, the Cuban Coffee Queen is hard to beat. The company roasts its own beans and leans into a Havana-inspired experience, with a focus on quality and community that shows in every order. With several locations around the island, from Clinton Square to Duval Street, you are never far from a fresh cup.
5 Brothers
A true Old Town institution, 5 Brothers has been serving authentic Cuban coffee for nearly 50 years. The name is no misnomer: Heriberto Paez and his four brothers opened the corner shop back in 1978. Three generations later, the family still runs the place, and it remains a beloved gathering spot for coffee, food and Key West conversation.
Ana’s Café Cubano
Near Mallory Square, Ana’s Café Cubano is a convenient stop for a quick café con leche to go. Prefer to linger? Grab a seat and pair your coffee with a freshly pressed, made-to-order Cuban sandwich.
Sandy’s Café
Tucked beside a laundromat on White Street, this family-run hole in the wall has been a local favorite for decades. It is the kind of unassuming counter where you can refuel with a strong cup and a plate of authentic Cuban fare alongside the regulars.
Book Your Key West Vacation Rental Today
The best Cuban coffee in Key West is best discovered one café at a time, and there is no better basecamp for the hunt than a home right in the middle of it all. Stay in one of our Key West vacation rentals, many located in Old Town on Duval Square within walking distance of the island’s best cafés. Enjoy all the comforts of home, including a fully equipped kitchen where you can brew your own cafecito. Start planning your Florida escape today!
